Guest Opinion: We need to invest in global awareness

The United States-China relationship is one of the most important in the world. With 1.3 billion potential consumers, China offers the U.S. a large and increasingly affluent consumer market. Furthermore, there is much the countries can learn from each other in terms of innovation, technology and the environment, to name just a few areas.

So the question is: How can we foster a trusting relationship and harness these significant opportunities? Many think the key is to thoroughly prepare a future generation of specialists on China, who will be charged with managing the growing political, economic and cultural ties between our two countries.

According to the U.S. State Department, “ten times more Chinese students come to the U.S. for educational programs than Americans who study in China, and 600 times more Chinese study the English language than Americans study Mandarin.” Righting this imbalance and increasing academic and cultural exchange opportunities between our countries for American students could help improve competitiveness and our students’ ability to succeed academically and professionally in the global economy.

One nonprofit in Seattle is addressing the issue. Through its global leadership program, OneWorld Now! is providing students with access to critical language and leadership development studies as well as study-abroad opportunities, especially under-served high school students. In partnership with President Barack Obama’s 100,000 Strong Initiative, OneWorld Now recently joined Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn to announce new study-abroad scholarships and expand sister school relationships between Seattle and key cities in China.

Corporations recognize the importance of this issue as well, and are stepping up to help nonprofits like OneWorld Now. For example, Deloitte recently announced a $100,000 corporate contribution to the 100,000 Strong Initiative, including $30,000 to OneWorld Now. Companies are recognizing that having a strong pipeline of talented professionals with a global mindset and deep cultural awareness is a significant competitive advantage. In addition, supporting nonprofits that seek to reach youth in under-served communities can help these companies fulfill their corporate community involvement missions.

According to Pete Shimer, managing partner of Deloitte’s Seattle office, “We support OneWorld Now because it makes sense from a business-competitiveness perspective. But perhaps more importantly, programs like this can change the direction of a young person’s life. They can open a young person’s eyes to exciting new possibilities and ignite a passion that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.”

Take the example of Philmon Haile, who came to the U.S. from Eritrea when he was 4 years old. As a sophomore at Garfield High School, Philmon joined OneWorld Now and started studying Chinese without prior knowledge or exposure to Chinese culture. According to Philmon, “OneWorld Now provided me with the opportunity to spend my entire senior year of high school in China. Now, after my experiences, I know what I want to become: a U.S. ambassador working to make a change in this world through serving nations.” Philmon, now a junior at the University of Washington majoring in international Affairs, is spending this summer interning at the U.S. Embassy in China — on his way toward his dream of being an ambassador.

China is critically important to the U.S., and vice versa. Through support to nonprofits like OneWorldNow, we can help to create a future generation of leaders with the skills and cultural understanding to harness the significant opportunities ahead.

CHRIS COOPER is a partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP and the national leader of Deloitte’s Chinese Services Group. KRISTIN HAYDEN is founder and executive director of OneWorld Now.